TALKS between the Holyrood and Westminster governments about the format of the independence referendum have reached "an advanced stage", according to politicians leading the discussions.

Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Scottish Secretary Michael Moore held their latest meeting today and, while they have yet to reach an agreement on all of the issues, they said progress has been made.

In a joint statement, they said: "Substantial progress has been made today, and at previous meetings, on the ground work for an agreement and in discussing the detail of individual issues.

"We now need to see these individual issues in totality and have asked officials to put together a package over the next few days.

"We will discuss again whether the proposed package has reached a form we are able to recommend the full agreement to the First Minister and the Prime Minister."

A Scotland Office spokesman said the "package" for discussion includes issues such as the single question, extending the franchise to 16 and 17-year-olds, broadcasting rights and spending limits.

"It's looking pretty good," he said. "We have made a lot of progress.

"Now the officials will draft (the package) along the lines that we have discussed and then we will start talking about the specific terminology rather than the high principle stuff.

"It's a pretty usual process which works well when we do it on less emotive issues. It broadly follows the same shape.

"The officials will now draft something for both sides to look at and further discuss. I means they will have something a lot more honed down and specific."

However, he said they have yet to reach an agreement on all of the points.

He added: "That's not where we are at yet, but again that's not unusual.

"We wouldn't expect to be at that point while we are still getting down to the specifics, but we are in an advanced stage."